The Importance of Having a Tree (And How it Affects Social Media Laws)

By Michael H. on January 23, 2012

There once was a tree that stood outside my window. I never thought much of the tree, though I enjoyed the red coloring of its leaves and its mere presence. Often I found myself just staring at the tree while enjoying a smoke on my balcony. This tree had done nothing for me. It was no “Giving Tree”. I did not partake in the gifts of its fruit or branches or trunk.

photo from flickr.com, uploaded by http://www.flickr.com/photos/12419199@N08/6714963193/in/photostream/

I was just glad to know it was there.

Often, while just staring at that tree, I’d start inventing stories or pondering the effect of nature on my life. The trees simple existence was a reminder to take it easy and not stress myself out. The tree functioned as my muse when I needed one, and an enjoyable sight when I didn’t.

Unfortunately, the landscapers in my apartment complex decided – for some reason unbeknownst to me – the tree had to be cut down. All that’s left of my muse now is a snow-covered stump. This stump simply reminds me of the tree, which works for my musings, but it doesn’t make it any less upsetting to look at.

Stay with me for the jump into the abstract. Looking back at this tree made me think about the SOPA and PIPA laws that failed to get passed this last week. Many creative minds choose to use the Internet as their muse, or use it to spread their work. Because of the nature of their work, sometimes creativity crosses boundaries that could be classified as copyright infringement.

We discussed the SOPA blackout in one of my classes. A classmate summarily explained to the class that SOPA and PIPA were controversial because they gave corporations the ability to censor websites that they claim are committing copyright violations. In the short-term, I agree with him. The real problem occurs when you start talking about the long-term.

These laws present a problem because of censorship itself. The United States has always had some of the most relaxed regulations on web access. Suddenly it would appear that we’re facing an entire about-face in those regards. Censorship of any kind has always been viewed as the utmost treachery. Now the government seems willing to embrace censorship without any form of checks-and-balances.

Personally, I believe that piracy can be fought in other ways. It would be a terrible shame if American creativity took a nosedive simply so every corporation could rake in a slightly bigger profit. Blocking sites in this fashion is the same as chopping down my muse. The worst part: the corporations would shut down the smaller sites where art is created for free. At some point, a line must be drawn in order to support the arts.

The solution is not censorship. The real solution should be cheaper and easier access to the art that these corporations are so upset about being shared. Rather than forcing the users to adapt, corporations should loosen the iron grip they have on their money. On the Internet, the user has all the power.

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